Download - Calling A Spade A Shovel Bringolf
Calling a Spade a Shovel: Universal, accessible, adaptable,
disabled – aren’t they all the same?
Jane BringolfPhD Candidate
Urban Research CentreUniversity of Western Sydney
Housing Researchers’ Conference, Sydney August 2009
Introduction
• Terminology
• Two examples showing– Problems for practical application – Problems for policy development
• A possible solution
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel2
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 3
My Proposition:
We have too many words and not enough understanding
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 4
AccessibleAdaptable
Universal
Visitable Usable
Disabled
Flexible
Housing Researchers’ Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf
Where the words come from
• Some terms come from human rights legislation and are stuck there:– Accessible and visitable
• Some come from policy shifts:– Adaptable, ageing in place, flexhousing
• Some come from a person-centred view:– Usable, person-environment fit, universal
Example 1: Housing NSW
• Jobs Stimulus Package – call for tender
• Industry briefings emphasised the need for more universally designed housing
• Inconsistent use of terms in tender document
• Principles of universal design got lost in the detail and the terminology
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 6
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 7
Visitable
Universal Design PrinciplesDisabled (Fully Accessible)
Adaptable Housing
Pensioner Housing
General Housing
Statement of Requirements:
Seniors Living
Disabled Units
General Living
Adaptable Dwellings
Visitable Units
Adaptable Units
Schedule 3:
Schedule 8:
Seniors Living SEPP Aged and disabled dwellingsDisabled Dwellings
Visitable Dwellings
Family Housing
Housing for older peopleGeneral Living
Dwellings for the disabled
Example 2: research project• Positioning Paper largely consisting
literature review with full report to come
• Government funded, emphasis on ageing and housing policy
• Aim of one portion of funding: determine cost-benefits of adaptable housing and consumer interest in adaptable housing
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 8
Dwelling, land and neighbourhood use by older home owners, Quinn et al, 2009
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 9
Accessible Accessible Design, Accessible Housing
Adaptable Adaptable Design, Adaptable Housing, Visitable
adaptable adaptable housing
Flexible Housing accommodate household changes
Universal Universal Design, Universal Housing Design
Visitable Visitable Design, Visitable Housing
Seniors housingPeople aged 55 +
Lifetime Homes
TermsUsed
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 10
Do we need so many ‘types’ of housing exclusively for ‘other’ people?
Not if we start acknowledging that ageing, illness and disability are a part
of being human, and…
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 11
Expect it, and plan for itin every home from this point forward.
Housing Researchers’ Conference 2009 Jane Bringolf
Near enough is not good enough
• We use lots of different terms thinking we are all talking about the same thing, but sometimes we’re not.
• This means we get mixed up messages – “Oh, I thought you meant…”
• Lack of clarity in language and terminology causes confusion and inefficiency
• Harder to make progress – policy, practice
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 13
Let’s go back to the drawing board
• Many of the design principles have the same objectives
• Agree on common principles with universal application
• Rationalise the language/terms
• Focus on usability for people
• Use Landcom Guidelines as a start?
Structural features for every home
• Level access throughout
• Car parking space
• Wider doors
• Wider corridors
• Main facilities on entry level
• Low window sills
• Circulation space in all rooms
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 14
Universal Housing Design Guidelines, Landcom, 2008
Once we get clarity…• We will stop focusing on WHO it’s for • Start focusing on WHAT it can do and• HOW it can be implemented• Then we can start researching ways to make
it work better• Cost arguments will disappear • Everyone can capitalise on more
functional environments and products!
We expect to get older but don’t plan to get old.
Acceptance of the inevitable changes the underpinning
assumptions of design.
Accidents and illnesses happen –it’s just a matter of when.
Contact Details
Jane Bringolf
Urban Research Centre
University of Western Sydney (Parramatta)
Mob 0417 231 349
Some comments from research“A lot of people I deal with feel that considering accessibility of a building is onerous and don’t see why they should have to. In designing new buildings it doesn’t have to cost any more or take any more time to design an accessible building.” A town planner with a local council
“Universal design is virtually unknown in the industry. It is not something that enters our practice… it just hasn’t come into any of the proposals we deal with.” A consultant urban planner
Some comments: “…just the thought that you can’t even go back home, it’s a huge blow … it’s not recognised.”
“going home…it’s the one part of your life you want to get back to normal, and just can’t do it.”
“A room was added by my dad, but it was just a copy of a hospital room, it was really horrible.”
“…and my dad said, oh, it’s only one little step. I said, dad, I’m in a wheelchair! I couldn’t believe it – my own dad!”
Wheelchair users with a spouses and children talking
about the rehabilitation process and the role of
home and family.
Spot the deliberate mistakes!
How easy it is to use the grab bar, the toilet paper or the soap?The bar is also too far from the toilet. A toilet can meet Australian Standards, but be dysfunctional!
Housing Researchers' Conference 2009
Jane Bringolf: Calling a Spade a Shovel 21